Sinn Féin - On Your Side

North-South Interconnector will not be constructed with overhead pylon technology - Carthy

Speaking
in response to the decision of the Planning Appeal Commission (PAC) in the north
to grant planning permission for the construction of a pylon-supported North
South Interconnector project, Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy said that it doesn’t
change the fact that the proposed development does not have public acceptance
among the affected communities and landowners.

He reiterated his party’s call for the
companies involved and the Irish Government to proceed with the interconnector
only on the basis of underground technology.

Speaking
from Brussels Matt Carthy said:

“The
news that the planning permission for the North-South Interconnector has been
granted by the PAC does not change the fact that the project has not the
necessary public acceptance among the affected communities or landowners. Without that public acceptance the project
will not be completed.

“EirGrid
in particular have failed in their engagements with landowners and the public, despite
their claims to the contrary and despite spending untold sums of public monies
on an intensive PR campaign.

“Sinn
Féin wants to see the development of a North South Interconnector, recognising that
it is an important infrastructural project. But, the fact is that an
over-grounded Interconnector will face fierce opposition from the rural
communities concerned due to their genuine fears of the impact the proposal
will have on the grounds of health, the visual amenities of their areas and its
impact on local businesses, particularly in tourism and agriculture.

“Rather
than addressing these concerns EirGrid have engaged in an elaborate campaign of
dismissal and demonisation of anyone who disagrees with them. Their actions have already led to a decade
long delay to the project.

“If
EirGrid were to prioritise the public acceptance criteria then the project
would be developed using underground technology. The international evidence clearly shows that
undergrounding this project is possible and feasible. It is likely in fact to be the economically
sounder option in the long term.

“Should
EirGrid and SONI refuse to adopt this position then they should be directed by
government policy to do so

“The
judgement by the North’s Planning Appeal Commission does not change the
fundamentals on the situation. If anyone
wants to see the development of the North South Interconnector then they should
support the demand that it be developed using underground technology in the
knowledge that this is the only way it will materialise”.